[Pritchett House]
The kitchen smelled like toasted bread and cheese. Gloria stood by the stove, flipping a slice of toast when Manny walked in.
She turned the second she saw him, her face lighting up instantly. "Ay, my boy is looking so handsome," she said, eyes scanning him from head to toe with full approval.
Manny smiled, clearly pleased, and walked straight to the fridge like this was all part of a carefully planned routine. "Thank you," he said calmly, pulling the door open and reaching inside.
Gloria narrowed her eyes slightly as she leaned closer, catching something in the air. "Manny," she said, sniffing again, "are you wearing aftershave?"
Manny didn't look embarrassed in the slightest. He pulled out a small bottle from the fridge. "Yes," he said, completely serious. "For my date. This will be the first time she will ever smell me."
..
//Manny's Confession//
Manny sat upright on his bed, hands folded neatly in his lap, his expression calm but proud. "Her name is Whitney," he said with a small nod. "I met her on an online book club."
He adjusted his sleeve slightly before continuing. "We both like vampire fiction and the romance of eternal life." There was a thoughtful pause. "It creates a certain… connection."
..
//Gloria's Confession//
Gloria sat in the dining room, smiling widely like she could not contain her excitement. "I think it's adorable that Manny has a date," she said, her voice full of warmth.
She leaned forward slightly, gesturing with her hands as she spoke. "He even picked out the lunch menu. Grilled cheese sandwich and tomato soup." She shook her head with a soft laugh. "Tomato soup because, you know, it's like the blood and the vampires drink the blood."
She giggled, clearly entertained by the whole idea. "And then he wants me to take them for ice cream after, because Manny loves ice cream."
//Confession End//
..
[Present Time]
Back in the kitchen, Manny took a sip and set the bottle down, then he adjusted his collar, taking a small breath like he was preparing for something important.
The doorbell rang.
Manny straightened immediately. "Oh," he said just a little faster than usual. "That must be her." He glanced toward Gloria, already moving toward the door. "If this goes well, no need to stick around."
Gloria raised an eyebrow, amused, but followed him anyway, wiping her hands quickly on a towel as they both headed for the front door.
Manny reached it first and opened it with a composed expression, clearly trying to make a good first impression.
Then he blinked.
Standing there was Haley.
She looked between the two of them, slightly confused by how dressed up Manny was, then lifted her hand in a casual wave. "Hey."
Manny's expression shifted from composed to mildly thrown off. "Oh, it's you," he said plainly.
Haley frowned. "Wow. Rude. Hi to you too."
Gloria stepped forward quickly, her face lighting up again. "Haley," she said warmly, pulling her into a quick hug before she could even react. "What a nice surprise."
Haley hugged her back, smiling. "Hi, Gloria."
Manny stepped aside, still processing, adjusting his sleeve again as he tried to recover his composure. "This is unexpected timing," he admitted.
...
//Haley's Confession//
Haley sat on the couch with a happy smile.
"Okay… so, Gloria as a model?"
She nods quickly, like this is the most obvious decision in the world.
"That's not just a good idea. That's like… winning idea."
She gestures with both hands, clearly building her case.
"She's gorgeous, she knows how to pose, she literally lives like she's in a photoshoot already, and she has that confidence thing where even if she's just standing there, it looks like a magazine cover."
Haley pauses, then shrugs lightly.
"So yeah… ninety-nine percent chance this photoshoot is a success."
A small smile spreads across her face, a little more strategic now.
"The only problem is… I have to get her to say yes."
She leans back slightly, thinking it through.
"And Gloria doesn't just say yes to things she is shy or uncomfortable about. You have to… present it right. Like, make it feel important. Make it feel like she's the star."
Haley's eyes light up as the idea clicks.
"…which she is, so that part's easy."
She tilts her head, a playful grin forming.
"So now all I have to do is butter her up a little, say a few very true things about how amazing she looks, maybe throw in something about how this could totally be seen by important people, and her photo might be used in Preston Boutiques all over the world, and she might even get calls from the professionals for more shoots… She might even become a celebrity overnight."
A beat.
Then she smiles wider.
"And if that fails, I've another idea."
She nods to herself, completely confident now.
"Gloria is so saying yes."
//Haley's confession end//
..
[Present time]
Manny closed the door behind them as Haley stepped inside. Gloria moved back toward the kitchen, while Manny lingered for a second, straightening his sleeves again like he needed to reset his image.
Haley looked at him properly now and stopped mid-step, her eyebrows lifting. "Okay, wait," she said, pointing at him as she walked backward into the kitchen. "Why are you dressed like a nerd?"
Manny stiffened slightly, clearly offended, and followed them in with measured steps. "This is not a 'nerd' outfit," he replied, adjusting his collar with quiet dignity. "This is a carefully curated look designed to reflect intellect, sensitivity, and timeless romantic appeal."
Haley dropped into a chair at the kitchen table, already half-zoned out as she listened. "It's a sweater vest, Manny."
He shook his head once, like she had completely missed the point. "It's about presentation," he continued. "I am meeting someone for the first time today. First impressions matter. You don't just show up in something casual and hope for the best."
He walked over to the counter, picking up his bottle again before continuing. "This outfit communicates that I am thoughtful, well-read, and capable of emotional depth. It sets a tone."
Haley sat down on the chair before the table near the fridge. She rested her chin on her hand, staring at him with a flat expression. "It sets something."
Manny ignored that completely. "Also, the aftershave complements the aesthetic. Subtle, but noticeable. It completes the experience."
Haley let out a slow sigh, shaking her head as she leaned back in the chair. "You are way too much for a first date."
Gloria laughed softly as she moved around the kitchen, clearly enjoying both sides of this. "Leave him alone, Haley," she said, smiling at Manny. "He finally got a date after so many heartbreaks."
Haley leaned forward slightly, resting her elbows on the table as she looked at Gloria with a more focused expression.
"So," she started casually, like this was just a random thought that had nothing to do with her being there. "Random question, have you ever thought about becoming a model again?"
Gloria paused mid-motion, turning her head slowly to look at her. There was a small shift in her expression, something between surprise and curiosity. "Again?" she repeated, a faint smile forming as she leaned lightly against the counter.
Haley nodded quickly, sitting up straighter now. "Yeah. I mean, you used to do it, right?"
Gloria's smile grew a little, clearly flattered by the direction this was going. "A little," she said, brushing it off with a small shrug that did not fully hide the pride underneath. "Back in Colombia."
Haley tilted her head, studying her like she was already picturing the photos. "That makes sense," she said. "You have that whole… look."
Gloria raised an eyebrow, amused. "What look?"
Haley gestured vaguely, trying to put it into words. "That confident, effortless, everything just works kind of look. Like you don't even have to try, and it still looks like a professional shoot."
Gloria laughed softly, clearly enjoying this now. "Ay, you are very sweet," she said, though her posture shifted just slightly, more aware of herself.
Haley leaned in a little more, her tone turning just a bit more intentional. "I'm serious. You could totally still do it."
Gloria placed the freshly made toasts onto a plate.
"It's been so long," she said, wiping her hands lightly on the towel as she leaned against the counter. "I don't know… why do you suddenly talk about modeling, hmm?"
Haley straightened in her chair, her fingers tapping lightly against the table for a second before she answered. "Okay, so it's not random," she admitted, a small smile slipping in as she glanced at Manny for half a second before focusing back on Gloria. "The boutique where I'm working? They gave me my first real project."
Gloria's attention sharpened instantly, her body turning fully toward her. Manny also paused, quietly listening now.
"It's a photoshoot assignment," Haley continued, sitting up straighter as she explained. "I have to find two female and two male models, style them with clothes they give me, and organize the whole shoot."
Gloria nodded slowly, following along.
"And it's a competition," Haley added, her tone becoming a little more careful. "There are twenty interns."
That part landed.
Gloria's expression shifted just slightly, her eyes narrowing with interest. "Twenty?" she repeated, a faint spark lighting up behind the curiosity.
Haley noticed it immediately but kept her tone steady. "Yeah," she said with a small shrug. "So it's kind of a big deal."
She hesitated for a second, then leaned forward a little, her voice softening just enough to feel honest instead of rehearsed. "And you were the first person who came to my mind," she said. "Like… immediately. I didn't even have to think about it."
Gloria blinked, caught a little off guard by how direct that was.
"I mean it," Haley continued, more sure now. "You already know how to pose, you're confident, and you actually look like someone people would want to put on a billboard or something. I mean, if I somehow win, they'll probably put the photos on billboards."
Manny gave a small nod of agreement from the side, clearly backing that up without interrupting.
Haley exhaled lightly, then added, "But I get it if you don't want to do it. It's been a while, and it's a lot to ask. And there are twenty interns, so it'll be really hard. So… yeah. No pressure."
She leaned back slightly after saying that, letting the moment breathe.
There was a brief silence.
Gloria looked at her, really looked this time, like she was seeing something she had not fully noticed before.
Haley shifted again, almost like she felt she had not explained enough. "Also," she added, a little more casually, "there's a prize."
Gloria raised an eyebrow.
"Five thousand dollars," Haley said, glancing down for a second before looking back up. "And two tickets to Miami."
Manny's head turned instantly. "Miami," he repeated under his breath, impressed.
Gloria's attention stayed locked on Haley.
Haley shrugged lightly, trying to keep it from sounding like a big emotional thing. "I was thinking… if I win, I'd give it to my parents," she said. "For their anniversary."
Gloria's expression softened.
"They've been working a lot," Haley continued. "And my dad hasn't really been closing deals lately, so things are a little… tight."
She picked at the edge of the table with her fingers, not looking directly at Gloria for a second. "I just thought it would help. The money would take some pressure off, and the trip would give them a break."
There was no performance in her tone now. Just honesty.
"They kind of need it," she finished, almost under her breath.
The kitchen went quiet.
Manny glanced between them, unusually silent. He caught on to how Haley was buttering up his mom into modelling. But he didn't say anything.
..
//Manny's confession//
Manny sat on the edge of his bed, hands folded neatly like always, "I knew what Haley was doing."
He nodded once, calm, matter-of-fact.
"She wasn't just asking. She was… constructing a narrative."
A small pause as he adjusted his sleeve.
"The compliments, the timing, the way she introduced the competition before mentioning the prize… and then tying it all to something meaningful for her family."
He tilted his head slightly.
"It was quite effective, actually."
Another pause.
"But I didn't say anything."
His expression softened just a little, less analytical now.
"Because lately… my mom hasn't been herself."
He looked down at his hands for a second.
"She's been saying things like she feels… stuck. Like everything has become routine. Cooking, the house, the same conversations… over and over. She said she misses feeling… exciting like she used to be."
"And this?" he added, gesturing lightly. "This is exactly the kind of thing that could bring that back."
A faint, thoughtful smile appeared on his face.
"So yes… Haley was manipulating the situation."
A small shrug.
"But for once…"
He nodded.
"I think I'm okay with it."
//Manny's confession End//
...
Gloria didn't say anything at first.
Her eyes had softened completely, the earlier playfulness gone, replaced by something deeper. She looked at Haley like she was trying to hold onto the moment, like she was seeing the little girl she knew and the person she was becoming at the same time.
"Ay…" she whispered, her voice breaking just slightly as her eyes filled with tears.
Before Haley could react, Gloria stepped around the table quickly and pulled her into a tight hug.
Haley froze for a second, surprised, then slowly hugged her back.
"You have such a good heart," Gloria said softly, holding her close. "You think about your family like this…"
She pulled back just enough to look at her, her hands still resting on Haley's shoulders.
"Of course I will do it," she said without hesitation, her voice full of warmth and certainty. "I will be your model."
Haley blinked, a small smile breaking through as the tension she didn't even realize she had been holding finally let go. "Wait, really?"
Gloria laughed through the remaining tears, nodding quickly. "Yes, really," she said. "We are going to win this thing, okay? Those other interns don't stand a chance."
Manny straightened slightly, clearly approving of the shift in energy. "Confidence is key," he added, nodding once.
Haley let out a small breath of relief, smiling wider now. "Okay… yeah. Okay, we're doing this."
Gloria squeezed her hands one more time before letting go, already energized. "We start planning today," she said, wiping the corner of her eye quickly before her usual confidence returned. "Outfits, poses, everything. Let's win this competition."
Haley thought. 'One down, three to go.'
--[Quick news: My next ff will probably be Reborn as Lucifer (TV)]--
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